Breeden Changes Plea In Sex Assault Case

To be sentenced February 23

By Chanin Rotz-Mountz STAFF WRITER

A 21-year-old Warfordsburg area man appeared in the Fulton County Court of Common Pleas earlier this month to change his plea in connection with an episode dating back to November 2008, during which he sexually assaulted a teenage girl while at Meadow Grounds Lake.

Joshua L. Breeden of 3378 Stoneybreak Road changed his prior plea of not guilty to guilty of statutory sexual assault during an appearance before Judge Richard J. Walsh on January 12. Original charges against Breeden also included one count of indecent assault of a person less than 16 years of age.

In paperwork filed by investigating officer Trooper Angela Roher of the McConnellsburg state police barracks, the incident reportedly occurred on November 20, 2008, following an evening of drinking at a private residence in Needmore. Breeden, a second man and the 13- year-old girl reportedly drove to Sheetz for chili dogs before heading to the popular lake located in Ayr Township.

The girl told police the incident in the bed of a truck was consensual between herself and Breeden. She also added in con- versations with police that Breeden immediately stopped when she asked.

In an interview with the accused, state police learned from Breeden the incident occurred after the trio left the Meadow Grounds. Breeden, according to the affidavit of probable cause, stated the incident actually occurred along Pigeon Cove Road in the vicinity of P&W Excavating during the early morning hours.

State police were initially alerted to a possible sexual assault after receiving notice from an officer with the Hancock, Md., Police Department who was investigating a similar case involving Breeden in his jurisdiction.

Breeden is tentatively slated to be sentenced on February 23 following the completion of a presentence investigation by the Fulton County Probation Department.